But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises.
But this man, who was not of their family, took the tenth from Abraham, and gave a blessing to him to whom God had given his undertaking.
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises.
Blessed him that had the promises - This is a continuation of the same argument, namely, to show the superiority of Melchisedec; and, in consequence, to prove the superiority of the priesthood of Christ beyond that of Aaron. As in the seed of Abraham all the nations of the earth were to be blessed, Abraham received a sacerdotal blessing from Melchisedec, who was the representative of the Messiah, the promised seed, to show that it was through him, as the high priest of the human race, that this blessing was to be derived on all mankind.
But he whose descent is not counted from them - Melchizedek. The word "descent" is "pedigree" in the margin. The meaning is, that he was not "in the same genealogy" - μὴ γενεαλογούμενος mē genealogoumenos - he was not of the order of Levitical priests. That Melchizedek is meant there can be no doubt; at the same time, also, the thought is presented with prominence on which Paul so much insists, that he was of a different order from the Levitical priesthood.
And blessed him - Blessed him as a priest of God; blessed him in such a manner as to imply acknowledged superiority; see Hebrews 7:1.
That had the promises - The promise that he should have a numerous posterity; that in him all the nations of the earth should be blessed; see Hebrews 6:12-16.
7:6 He who is not from them - The Levites Blessed - Another proof of his superiority. Even him that had the promises - That was so highly favoured of God. When St. Paul speaks of Christ, he says, the promise; promises refer to other blessings also.